Chelsea boss Maresca rubbishes Manchester City links

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FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Quarter Final - Cardiff City v Chelsea - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - December 16, 2025 Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo

REUTERS

Dec 19 - Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on Friday dismissed reports linking him with the top job at Manchester City, insisting the speculation over his future does not affect him at all as he remains fully committed to the London club.

Maresca, ‍who ​previously worked as an assistant coach at City, joined Chelsea in 2024 ‍and led the Premier League side to the Europa Conference League title at the end of his first season, followed by the ​Club World ​Cup in July.

A report in The Athletic this week said the 45-year-old Italian is among the top candidates to replace Pep Guardiola at City when the Spanish manager brings an end to his trophy-laden spell at ‍the Etihad Stadium.

Asked about the links, Maresca told reporters: It doesnt affect me at all because I know its 100 ​percent speculation.

In this moment, there is no time for ⁠these kinds of things, first of all because I have a contract here until 2029, he added ahead of a Premier League trip to Newcastle United.

I said many times, my focus is just about this club and Im very proud to be here. Its ​speculation. One week ago, in Italy, it was